Fragonard Perfume Museum in Paris

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Musée du Parfum

Address

9 Rue Scribe, 75009 Paris, France

Get directions

Phone +33 1 47 42 04 56

Web Visit website

For those interested in the long and complex history of scent-making, the Fragonard Museum in Paris is a true gem. Situated in a rather unassuming but nevertheless regal nineteenth-century building right near the Palais Garnier (old Opera house), the museum only opened in 1983 but takes visitors on an old-world sensory voyage back to the origins of perfumery. This is one of our favorite odd and underappreciated Paris museums.

Fragonard Perfume Museum

This entirely free Parisian museum is so often overlooked by tourists, but it offers a magical look at the olfactory arts through an eclectic collection of artifacts and instruments related to perfume formulation, manufacturing, and packaging-- many of these presented in old-world style glass cabinets. The collection traces the art of scents from Antiquity to the beginning of the 20th century, with a special focus on French traditions originating in the southern French town of Grasse-- still a major world capital of perfumery and housing the headquarters of many prestigious French manufacturers (including Fragonard). 

The decor here is alluring, to say the least, retaining much of the original nineteenth-century elements such as painted ceilings, stucco decoration, old fireplaces, and chandeliers. Visitors are plunged into a decidedly romantic setting to trace the evolution of perfumery rituals and practices of the last 3,000 years, going as far back as ancient Egypt. 

Dozens of varieties of old perfume bottles, vaporizers, perfume fountains and "organs" (pictured above), apothecary jars, and instruments used by perfumers to measure and formulate scents make for an intriguing and visually inspiring visit. You'll also learn about the craftsmanship that goes into blowing and designing the delicate and beautiful bottles.

For those wishing to take home a special scent or souvenir, there's a small gift shop on the premises, from which visitors can purchase custom perfumes and other scent-related accessories and gifts.

Location and Contact Details

The museum is located in the 9th arrondissement on the right bank of Paris, in close reach of the old department stores district and the bustling business area known as "Madeleine". It's also a fantastic area for shopping and gourmet tasting, with tons of boutiques, high-end food shops like Fauchon, sweets, and teahouses in the vicinity.

Address: 9 rue Scribe, 9th arrondissement

Metro: Opera (or RER/commuter train line A, Auber station)

Tel: +33 (0) 1 47 42 04 56

Website: Visit the official website (in English)

Opening Hours and Tickets

The museum is open from Monday to Saturday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, and on Sundays and public holidays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. 

Entrance to the museum is free. In addition, museum staff offers free guided tours of the collection during most opening hours (but we recommend calling ahead to avoid disappointment). 

Sights and Attractions Nearby

You might visit this gem of a museum after exploring the sumptuous grounds of the Palais Garnier or visiting the grand old Belle-Epoque department stores Galeries Lafayette and Printemps just around the corner. Other worthwhile sights and attractions in the vicinity include the following:

• Palais Royal
• Musee du Louvre
• Jardin des Tuileries
• Laduree Macarons and teahouse 
• Rue Sainte Honoré and the Louvre-Tuileries shopping district (more great perfumeries and concept stores abound in the area)
• Galerie Vivienne and the old passageways of Paris